Springfield daily republic. [volume] (Springfield, O. [Ohio]) 1887-1888, 1887-01-13
TALE OF THE R0SABEL.

IL was very annoying to find myself
standing face 10 face with Royal Storm as
( the paSsengprs of the RoSabel came on deck
| TO get a parting view Of the city in the soft
| December evening. There was no help fer
It. The boat had slipped from the dock at
| the foot OF Canal street and wss half way
! along the crescent shaped hank to Carroll
! ton when We met He gave a look Of as
! great surprise as mine, bowed slightly for
| the first time in his life aud passed down
! the deck.
| had almost made up my mind that the
! situation could he gracefully endured,
when the captain assigned our places at
the table, and we two were again brought
Wis Wis for an eight day journey. Yet
neither WAS willing to ask for change
nor 10 give a reason fnr wishing one.
As our fellow passengers lspsed into
friendly chat and began 10 court our con-
versation il grew worse and worse. For
instance, Mrs ParnhsIn, the large lady
who seemed to take us all in charge, re-
marks: Miss Castle. didn't you say that
your home is in Florida"
! answer yes
Why, isn't that where you live also,
Mr.. Storm
Royal answers, gravely, Yes, | live
there also.
'Ah. see You are chaperolinG your
little friend for this long journey. sus-
pected as much, for all you are sc shy
about it. But you are quite right TO be so
prudent. my dear and she looks
rog,lishly at me- while my face grows hot,
and Royal looked sorely perplexed.
We do not speak, we cannot, the gospel
of eternsl hste was born in US, aud nur
tured with our carly lessons.
There was never yet Castle who did
not loathe the name Of Storm, since that
long time ago when our grandfathers, or
still remoter ancestors, indulged in q
fatal quarrel. and left the dark inherit-
ance OF feud 70 their descendants. And
both families had dwindled to a few repre-
sentatives, yet, through all our school
days together, and our chance meetings in
society and church, Royal and had pre-
served the ancient antagonism. But here,
knew not how TO be loyal TO the family
tradition. We were going on the same
journey-he to attend medical college, j
to a celebrated physician for treatment
for the spinal trouble which threatened
soon TO make me entirely helpless.
We both Joined in the general conversa-
ton at table SO that IL was not noticed
that we never spoke directly to each other,
though we could not resist the temptation
Of an occasional sideways sarcasm at each
others expense.
Ny acquaintance were limited to Q few
Indies and their husbands, for l was very
shy upon this first flight from my secluded
home, and a Young girl who cannot
dance, dirt nor promenade On the moonDt
guards is not apt to be belle.
One morning everybody had gone ON
deck to see some town that VIC were pass
ing. and wss left alone in the deserted
saloon. when Royal walked slowly down
the length Of the room, then turned and
came back 10 the couch where / lay and
bowed stifny Il hope Miss Castle, that
you know how strong q claim upon me
your Illness and loneliness give you. You
must not hesitate TO cal upon ME for any
service Can do anything for you nOw'''
Nothing. thank you answer, taken
by surprise oh, YES, ! shculd like a
drink Of water. Thsuks. -
am touched by this show Of chivalry
from my adversary, and recognize that he
10 a true gentleman, ANYHOW. AfSer this
he comes TO me regularly and executes nv
small eommissions, although We stin do
not speak al table nor exchange unneces-
sary words. The fourth day passes. that
last day which every passenger upon the
Inflated Rnsabel must now remember with
keenest interest. and ali retire to their
stateroons as usual. II is considerably
past midnight when the shock OF the col
lision almost fings us up from our berths,
and the widest confusion ensues. After
the first wondering thought, / realize that
some terrible calamity has occurred, and
soon the terrified shrieks of nv fellow pas
sengers tell in ineoherent words that the
boat Is doomed. i scream wildly once On
twice; then. As my voice returns from the
narrow walls of the ststeroom. l know
that il il useless. cannot help myself
could not walk the length Of the boat
without assistance
Tho stewardess. whose care / had hired,
and the friends who had volunteered at
tentiOns would mot think Of me now. |
sink into the calm of utter despair. / have
not even turned in my berth. The last few
weeks have made me familiar with the
thought of death, but not such death as
this All, IL I could only drown. How
dreaded the cruel flames, and could smell
them already Might no, meFcifully be
spared such agony a. had read of Then
in the hope of drowning and being found
l began. with weak, uncertain hands, to
dress myself. and was soon srrayed in my
travelling suit. As did so the shrieks and
groans grew louder, the hurrying feet
more desperate. Something struck nv
door. and then surely my name mingles in
the general confusion. Mis- Castle, Byrd,
For heavens sake open the door! The
boat is ON fire, Quick! Are you awake,'
r. IL
mind met answered, with a keen sense
Of heroism equal TO bis.
IF you are speaking can't hear you.
In one second will break in the door"
Il am not ready l shrek.
"Ready! Great heavensl Wrap your
self in blanket, " and the door was shaken
VIOLENTLY
"Oh, am dressed, but can't find"-
You must open thi, doom | can't wait
for an AK
As som a. find' -
Never mind valuabIes! Your life is
all. Open this door. command YOU"
Its more than that, it's my-stockins,
/ shrek.
There Is an expletfve that l cannot
write. and the light door is broken in with
the marble slab Of table. am caught
in two strong arms. dragged from NV
room. Carried through heat and sitting
smoke, and at last. through kissing, cracS-
ling blazes, ] am handed from man to
man until am lowered into the life boat,
my rescuer following. The boat is
freighted 10 the waters edge with the last
load from the wreck.
Byrd, you must sit on my knee; there
is not room for two," says my foe.
There Now lean against me and save
your back. am afrxid that must have
hurt you, ] was so rough This very
gently. Then as the little boat swayed
a protecting arm slipped about my waist
and held me steady And then-only
think Of 1.-THE dreadful Fsrnham looked
around with a meaning smile. How
lovely. This is the most beautiful adven-
ture | ever saw-your part, mean! You
saved her al your own risk Mr. Storm.
Well, she is worth it. hope you may be
very happy, my dears."
] was thinking what father and cousin
Tom would say if they knew that | owed